–US top diplomat tells Qureshi and Swaraj to prioritise direct communication and avoid further military activity–Pompeo calls India’s intrusion into Pakistani air space ‘counter-terrorism action’, asks Pakistan to take ‘meaningful action against terror groups’WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo has urged Pakistan and India to avoid further escalation “at any cost” and to “prioritise direct communication”. While civilian and military leaders in Pakistan termed the LoC breach “an act of aggression by India”, Pompeo called it “counter-terrorism actions”. He had also told Pompeo that the joint peace efforts in Afghanistan could be affected by India’s aggression. “I expressed to both ministers that we encourage India and Pakistan to exercise restraint, and avoid escalation at any cost,” he said. Diplomatic sources in Washington said that Foreign Minister Qureshi told Secretary Pompeo Pakistan could not ignore the sentiments of its people on the Indian aggression when he asked him to show restraint.

Source: Pakistan Today February 27, 2019 09:10 UTC